19 breathtaking photos of Rio from above

With nearly 3 million international tourists visiting every year, the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America.

And despite recent coverage of Olympic sized-troubles, Rio de Janeiro is still known the world over for its beautiful beaches, breathtaking scenery, and raucous Carnival celebration. Now, with the world watching, Rio de Janeiro is hosting the 2016 Olympic Games and is the first South American city to do so.

Catch a glimpse of this magnificent city and its famous landmarks in the aerial photos below.

The city is nestled on the mountainous shores of Guanabara Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. The entrance of the bay is guarded by the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain.

Paulo Whitaker/Reuters

Over 6 million people live in Rio, making it Brazil's second largest city. Many Cariocas live in favelas, or slums.

Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

Boating is extremely popular in Rio, and there are numerous boat and yacht clubs dotting the coastline.

Bruno Domingos/Reuters

There are nearly 50 miles of stunning beaches, and the waters stay warm year-round.

Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

With average temperatures never dipping below 70ºF, Rio is the perfect place to relax on the beach any time of the year.

Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

The sandy shores of Copacabana Beach are often used for concerts and festivals.